Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
Cantinas in the downtown area
Photos & Highlights
- Gain knowledge on the history of Mexico’s distilled spirits and the evolving cultural traditions that surround it
- Explore authentic cantinas to sample traditional spirits and immerse yourself in the local scene, away from tourist crowds
Select a date
Tour Description
Whether it's your first or fifth time visiting Mexico City, you inevitably feel the pull to enter one of the many cantinas. The aroma of grilled meat, the vibrant colors decorating the walls, and the lively music filling the air make it the perfect place to order a paloma or margarita. But how do you decide which cantina to visit? And beyond the cocktail menu, what exactly is the difference between tequila and mezcal?
On this 3-hour tasting tour guided by a local expert, you’ll trace the history and cultural significance of Mexico’s most iconic spirits. From the agave fields to the traditional distillation methods still in practice today, you will experience the history behind the drinks.
Through your journey, you’ll visit cantinas and mezcal bars chosen for their unique character and story, sampling a variety of tequilas and mezcals while learning to taste and recognize the distinct flavors and qualities that make each spirit special. By the end of your tour, you’ll have a deeper understanding of what sets these spirits apart, plus a few new favorite spots to share.
Choose this tour if…
- You want to drink as the locals drink and experience the city through their traditions.
- You want to visit authentic local spots hand-picked by our local experts and avoid tourist traps.
- You're curious about the generations of family traditions, local innovations, and cultural secrets about tequila waiting to be discovered.
- You want to master the art of tequila and mezcal ordering, from selecting añejos to understanding local etiquette that'll make you look like a true connoisseur for the rest of your trip.
Your journey begins in the heart of Mexico City at the Cacti Garden beside the Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral. Here, you’ll learn how to identify the different agave plants and understand the unique distilling process that gives pulque, tequila, and mezcal their distinct flavors.
From there, you’ll visit three curated stops that showcase how Mexico’s distilled spirits have evolved. You may begin at a classical cantina where the art deco setting takes you back in time as you sip on two different tequila drinks and listen to stories of tequila’s cultural roots.
Then, explore a modern mezcal bar that highlights how the spirit has been reimagined in recent years. Finally, end at a beloved local cantina where you can try classical tequila cocktails like a paloma or margarita. The exact stops and presentations will vary depending on the expert and what's available on the day, but each experience is designed to give you a deeper understanding of tequila and mezcal and how these spirits reflect Mexico’s history, identity, and evolving culture.
Logistics
Refreshments
You are prepaid for the dinner to sample a few drinks and some bar snacks. Should you wish to add to this, you will need to pay for it.
Transportation
This is an all-outdoor walking tour, and private car service is not included with this tour.
- Samples of mezcal spanning different types and qualities
- Samples of tequila spanning different types and qualities
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Wheelchair accessibility
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding accessibility. We have routes that can be adapted to all levels of accessibility.
Service dog accommodations
This is an outdoor walking tour, therefore service dogs are welcome. Please let us know if you are attending the tour with a service animal so we can be sure to choose accommodating shops and restaurants.
Can clients customize where they go for the bars / cantinas on this tour? Our expert who designed this tour did so very intentionally and though they can absolutely add notes around their preferences, it will be under the experts discretion where they are able to make a reservation for the stops on this tour.
Does this tour include a meal? No it does not. The tour starts in the early evening assuming that clients eat lunch before and will be okay to wait until dinner when the tour ends.
Can clients take kids with them to the tour? Of course, kids won’t taste mezcal or tequila. However, we definitely recommend they come without kids because there isn't a food aspect to it so it will be boring for kids.
What is the legal drinking age in Mexico? The legal drinking age is 18. Youngsters aged 16 and 17 can’t legally consume alcohol.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start